Here is a quick update on some of renewable energy legislation that is bouncing around the house and Senate. This update will cover the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), Production Tax Credit (PTC) the Small Wind Systems Tax Credit and the Anti-Wind Subtitle D Energy Bill.
The RPS in the House of Representatives
The Energy bill coming to the House floor later this month includes no national standard for renewable energy. However, it is anticipated that a national RPS will be proposed in an amendment offered by Rep. Tom Udall (D-NM) and Rep. Todd Platts (R-PA) based largely on their bill, H.R. 969. There are currently 120 cosponsors (out of 435 Representatives in the House) on H.R. 969. To move the RPS forward, more cosponsors are needed on H.R. 969 and members of the House need to support the Udall, Platts RPS amendment when the energy bill comes to the House floor in July. If we do not win this vote on the House floor, it will be extremely difficult, if not impossible, to secure enactment of an RPS this year.
Click here to send an email to your Representative about the RPS.
The RPS in the Senate
Due to procedural maneuvering by RPS opponents, the RPS did not come up for a vote. However, it may come up for a vote later in the year.